Regulating apparatus



April 6, 1937. J. w. ARMOUR ET AL 2,076,393

REGULAT ING APPARATUS Filed March 7, 1934 AuroMnr/c R5601. A TOR E Fig. 4 /6 Swu cut Old JAMES W ARMOUR |I F .5 RE

Patented Apr. 6, 1937 PATENT OFFICE REGULATING APPARATUS James W. Armour and L. V. Andrews, Worcester,

Mass., assignors to Riley Stoker Corporation, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March '7,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to regulating apparatus, and more particularly to a construction suitable for controlling the flow of an electric current in a desired manner.

It is one object of the invention to provide a regulating apparatus which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which will make possible an accurate control of an electric current.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a regulating apparatus which can be actuated either automatically or manually, and particularly to so construct the apparatus as to permit a manual adjustment without disconnecting the automatic mechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a regulating apparatus which is so constructed that the automatic mechanism cannot apply an excessive force thereto, however the manual adjustment may be set.

It is a further object of the invention to pro vide a regulating apparatus which may be conveniently mounted on a vertical panel with most of the apparatus concealed behind the panel.

With these and other objects in view, as Will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawing illustrating one embodiment of the invention, and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a regulating apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the regulating apparatus; and s Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a removable polepiece cap.

In the drawing we have shown a regulating apparatus adapted to vary the impedance in an alternating current circuit, this being accomplished by varying the reactance of the circuit, but it will be apparent that certain features of the invention are applicable to the control of direct currents as well.

The embodiment illustrated comprises an annular coil I I adapted for connection to an electric circuit, and an iron core I2 axially adjustable within the coil to vary the reactance thereof. A C-shaped iron member I4 is mounted with its end portions adjacent the ends of the core I2, this member I4 forming a return path for the magnetic flux produced by the current in the coil. By thus concentrating the flux in a definite path,

1934, Serial No. 714,539

a greatly increased operating range is obtained. The core I2 and member I4 are preferably of laminated construction to avoid eddy current losses.

In order to support the various parts, we preferably utilize a vertical panel I5 to the rear face of which there is secured a frame I6. The member I4 is fastened to the top of the frame I6 between the coil and the panel. The core I2 is slidably supported in spaced upper and lower guides I8, which are channel-shaped in transverse cross-section and face each other, as shown in Fig. 2. The guides I8 extend through the coil II to support the same, and they in turn are supported by the member I4. These guides are preferably of brass or other non-magnetic material to facilitate the sliding of the core thereon. By spacing the guides from each other We avoid providing a path for the circulation of induced currents.

Means is preferably provided to permit manual actuation of the core I2 from the front of the panel I 5, while at the same time indicating to the operator the position of the core. For this purpose an indicator plate 20 is mounted on the front of the panel, and a horizontal rotatable shaft 2'I is provided which extends rearwardly through the plate 20, panel I5, and frame I6. An operating handle 23 is fastened to the front end of the shaft 2| by means of a set-screw 24, and a pointer or indicator 26 is formed integral with the handle and arranged to cooperate with markings 2'! located in a circular arc on the plate 20. A wheel 29 is mounted on the shaft 2I in the rear of the frame I6, this wheel being provided with spokes 30 and a central hub 3| which is fastened to the shaft by means of a set-screw 32. The wheel 29 serves as a crank which is operatively joined to the slidable core I2 by means of a connecting rod 34. To one end of the connecting rod there is fastened a pin which extends through a lug 36 (Fig. 3) welded or otherwise secured to the core I2. The other end of the connecting rod is pivoted to one of the spokes 30 by means of a screw 38 and a flanged sleeve 39 (Fig. 2). Several openings 40 are provided in the spoke at different distances from the axis of the wheel. The screw 28 can be inserted through any of these openings to vary the extent of travel of the core. The pin 35 is adjustable in a longitudinal slot 42 (Fig. 4) in the connecting rod, so that the core can be positioned as desired relative to the connecting rod.

In order that the core may be held in a fixed position of adjustment when desired, we provide a horizontal rotatable shaft 44 which extends automatic regulator 58 (Fig. 4).

through the plate 20, panel l5, and frame [6. A knurled knob 45 is secured to the front end of the shaft to facilitate manual rotation thereof, and the rear portion of the shaft is screwthread ed to receive a nut 46. The wheel 29 is provided with a fiange fill which is located between the nut it and the frame it. The wheel prevents rotation of the nut, so that when the shaft 44 is turned in one direction by means of the knob 45 the nut will clamp the flange ll against the frame it and prevent rotation of the wheel.

In many cases it is desirable to control the position of the core automatically, and for this purpose we have illustrated diagrammatically an This regulator may be of any suitable type adapted to respond to changes in pressiu'e, temperature, fluid flow, liquid level, or any other variable desired. Ordinarily the variable which controls the regulator will also be affected by a change in the impedance of the coil H. For example, if the coil H were connected. in a circuit with a mechanism for supplying fuel to a steam boiler furnace at a controlled rate, the regulator 58 would usually be arranged to respond to variations in the pressure of the steam, or perhaps to changes in the temperature of a building heated by the boiler. 1e regulator 50 is preferably arranged to actuate the core 52 through the medium of a frictional driving connection, so that the core can be adjusted manually at any time independently of the regulator or relative thereto, and yet no matter how the parts are adjusted it will be impossible for the regulator to apply excessive and dangerous forces. For this purpose we have shown a member 5i rotatably mounted on the rear portion of the shaft 2| and held in place by a washer 53 and cotter pin This member 5i is provided with a radially projecting arm 55 which is joined to the automatic regulator Si by means of a connecting rod 5'1. The member 5i is also provided with two opposite radial projections 59 having hollow ends in which are slidably mounted friction shoes 60. These shoes are urged outwardly against the inner surface of the wheel 29 by means of coiled compression springs 6 l.

The arm 56 is provided with an opening 63 which is spaced from the axis of the shaft 2| a distance equal to the distance between the axes of the shafts 2i and 44. If no automatic regulator is to be used, the arm 56 may be moved to bring the opening 53 into line with the shaft 44, so that the shaft may be inserted through the opening. This will hold the member 5| fixed, and the friction of the shoes 6 will prevent accidental movement of the wheel 29 while allowing manual adjustment thereof by means of the handle 23.

Our improved regulating apparatus is adapted to control feeders of the electro-magnetic vibra ing type, some of which have a single magnet coil and others of which have two magnet coils connected in parallel. We provide means, in addition to the adjustment of the core i2, whereby the impedance of the coil H may be decreased when the regulating apparatus is to be used with a double-coil feeder. For this purpose we utilize an iron block or cap 65 which forms a part of the return path for the magnetic flux, this block being readily removable to provide an air gap in said path when desired. In the embodimentillus trated the block 65 is located between the mem er i and the core guides is, being held in place by clips 68 (Fig. 4) secured to the guides and to the member M. The removable block 55 is formed with two spaced vertical ribs 61 which engage the member 14 and hold the block against movement in a direction parallel to the core l2. The block 65 is comparatively thin, and it is elongated horizontally to provide an extensive area adjacent to the core l2 for the passage of the magnetic flux between these parts.

The operation of the invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. The automatic regulator 5!? acts through the connecting rod 51, member and friction shoes 60 to control the position of the wheel 29, and this in turn acts through the connecting rod 34 to control the position of the slidable core l2. As the core 12 is moved relative to the coil l l, the impedance of the coil will vary, and the current flow through any suitable device connected to the coil will be controlled. The pointer 25 will indicate the position of the core at all times. The position of the core relative to the automatic regulator can be changed manually as desired by turning the handle 23, thus causing the wheel 29 to slip on the shoes 68. The wheel can be locked in a stationary position at any time by turning the knob 15, thus causing the nut 46 to clamp the flange 4'5 against the frame l5. Under these conditions the regulator 58 can continue to operate, and the shoes 68 will slip on the wheel. If during automatic operation the core l2 reaches its travel limit ahead of the regulator 50, no damage can occur, since the shoes will slip before an excessive force is applied. In case no automatic regulator is to be used, the member 5i can be held fixed by passing the rod through the opening 63, and the friction shoes will serve to hold the wheel in any desired position of manual adjustment. By removing the block the impedance of the coil I l for a given position of the core l2 will be greatly decreased, so that the coil will allow more current to flow therethrough, and the apparatus can be used to control, for example, a feeder having double capacity,

Our improved regulating apparatus is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and thoroughly reliable in operation. Only such parts are visible in front of the panel as are used for manual operation and for indicating purposes, and the construction is particularly suitable for use in connection with other devices to form a complete combustion control system.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Regulating apparatus comprising an annular electrical coil, a core axially slidable through the coil to vary the reactance thereof, and an iron member arranged with its ends adjacent to the ends of the core to form a return path for the magnetic flux, said member having a portion which may be readily removed to produce an air gap in the return path and thus decrease the reactance of the coil.

2. Regulating apparatus comprising an annular electrical coil, a core axially slidable through the coil to vary the reactance thereof, and a C-shaped iron member arranged with its ends adjacent to the ends of the core to form a return path for the magnetic flux, one end portion of said member being enlarged to provide an increased area for flux transmission, said end portion being readily removable to decrease the reactance of the coil when desired.

3. Regulating apparatus comprising means providing a path for the flow of an electric our- 'lator, and a frictional driving connection arranged to transmit motion from the automatic regulator to the member.

4. Regulating apparatus comprising means providing apath for the flow of an electric current, a movable member associated with said means to control the impedance thereof, a manually operable device positively connected to the member to move the same, an automatic regulator, a frictional driving connection arranged to transmit motion from the automatic regulator to the member, and manually operable means to lock said member in any desired position of adjustment.

5. Regulating apparatus comprising a vertical panel, a frame mounted on the rear face of the panel, a horizontal shaft journaled in the frame and extending through the panel, an electric conductor mounted on the frame, a movable member associated with the conductor to control the impedance thereof, a positive mechanical connection between the shaft and the member, a handle secured to the front end of the shaft, an automatic regulator, and a frictional driving connection between the automatic regulator and the member.

6. Regulating apparatus comprising a vertical panel, a frame mounted on the rear face of the panel, a horizontal shaft journaled in the frame and extending through the panel, an annular electrical coil mounted on the frame, a core axially slidable through the coil to vary the reactance thereof, a mechanical connection between the shaft and the core to cause sliding of the core as the shaft is turned, an automatic regulator, means providing a frictional driving connection between the regulator and the shaft, and a handle secured to the front end of the shaft.

7. Regulating apparatus comprising a vertical panel, a frame mounted on the rear face of the panel, a horizontal shaft journaled in the frame and extending through the panel, an annular electrical coil mounted on the frame, a core axially slidable through the coil to vary the reactance thereof, a wheel secured to the shaft in the rear of the panel, a connecting rod joining the Wheel to the core, a member pivoted to the shaft adjacent to the wheel, means providing a frictional driving connection between the member and the wheel, an automatic regulator connected to the member to actuate the same, and a handle secured to the front end of the shaft.

8. Regulating apparatus comprising a vertical panel, a frame mounted on the rear face of the panel, a horizontal shaft journaled in the frame and extending through the panel, an annular electrical coil mounted on the frame, a core axially slidable through the coil to vary the reactance thereof, a wheel secured to the shaft in the rear of the panel, a connecting rod joining the wheel to the core, a member pivoted to the shaft adjacent to the wheel, a friction shoe mounted on the member, a spring urging the shoe into frictional engagement with the wheel, an automatic regulator connected to the member to actuate the same, and a handle secured to the front end of the shaft.

9. Regulating apparatus comprising a vertical panel, a frame mounted on the rear face of the panel, a horizontal shaft journaled in the frame and extending through the panel, an annular electrical coil mounted on the frame, a core axially slidable through the coil to vary the reactance thereof, a wheel secured to the shaft in the rear of the panel, a connecting rod joining the wheel to the core, a member pivoted to the shaft adjacent to the wheel, means providing a frictional driving connection between the member and the wheel, an automatic regulator connected to the member to actuate the same, a handle secured to the front end of the shaft, and means operable from in front of the panel whereby the Wheel may be locked in a fixed position to cause slipping of the frictional connection as the automatic regulator operates.

JAMES W. ARMOUR. L. V. ANDREWS. 

